Click here for Full Issue of Fidelio Volume 2, Number 3, Fall 1993

Concerts Pay Tribute to wo historic concerts were held in Ttribute to Marian Anderson (1897 -1993), who died April 8. The first was sponsored by the Schiller In­ stitute in Washington, D.C. at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church on May 29, and the second by the Dec­ laration of Independence Co-signers' Convention in Philadelphia on July 2. Both concerts, with audiences of close to 800, fe atured much of Anderson's fa vorite repertoire. Robert McFerrin, the first Black man to sing at New York City's Met­ ropolitan Opera, two weeks after An­ derson made history on Jan. 7, 1955 by singing a major operatic role there,

EIRNSIStuart Lewis performed in both concerts. George Veteran Classical musicians Robert McFerrin and Sylvia Olden Lee peiform in Shirley, who debuted at the Met in Philadelphia. 1961 and sang 189 performances there

the audience: several resolutions were passed, in­ "If you say that all men are created cluding one declaring that Lyndon Co-Signers equal and endowed by the Creator LaRouche's imprisonment is a "viola­ with certain inalienable rights, and tion of human rights in what is sup­ Continued from page 91 that 'to secure these rights govern­ posed to be the most humane country "Whereas, these truths offe r us a ments are instituted among men,' first in the world," and urging his uncondi­ constitutional and lawful path leading you have to ask yourself the question, tional release. Three other resolutions away from slavery, segregation, dis­ 'Do you have these rights?' " passed, including We Will Feed the crimination, racism, and gender bias. "Let's take life," he continued. "Do Hungry, For a Third National Bank We honor you, who continue to walk old people have the right to life? Well, and Promoting Economic Develop­ that path through your actions on they seem to lock themselves away be­ ment; and Support Constitutional these days of commitment and re-ded­ hind doors. Do young people have the Government in Europe. ication. right to life? Well, look at how many On Saturday evening, an awards "Therefore, the Council of the City of them die either of drugs or violence ceremony honoring leaders of the Civil of Philadelphia hereby takes a stand in the streets. What about people's Rights movement was attended by with those meeting in this city, July 2 wages? What about their own per­ more than 300 people. Civil Rights through July 4, 1993 to begin anew sonal and intellectual development?" leader and Schiller Institute vice­ the lifelong journey to responsible "If that is not going on, can you say chairman Amelia Boynton Robinson freedom by co-signing on paper, and that you have government? And if you keynoted the ceremony and then in­ inscribing in our hearts, the principle don't have government, is it not your troduced the Rev. Bevel, Mt. Olivet's of the Declaration of Independence. duty to institute it? That's not a ques­ pastor, the Rev. Marshall L. Shepard We support this great initiative and tion of waiting fo r someone to do it; Jr., who gave the opening invocation, commend those involved in this Im­ that's a question of this fourth branch and the Rev. James Cokley, who led portant and historic moment." of government having to be activated." the whole gathering in singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Awards were Fourth Branch of Government Resolutions and Awards presented posthumously to fifteen On Saturday, July 3, the convention Workshops on the historical and phil­ leaders, including Marian Anderson, opened at the Mt. Olivet Tabernacle osophical tradition of the Declaration Fannie Lou Hamer, Dr. Martin Lu­ Baptist Church with nearly 250 people were held in the afternoon, followed ther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, and in attendance. The Rev. Bevel told by a plenary session during which Lyndon Baines Johnson.

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© 1993 Schiller Institute, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission strictly prohibited. Gordon Hawkins, Dr. Raymond Jackson, and George Shirley (left to right) at the Washington, D.C. tribute to Marian Anderson.

EIRNS/Philip Ulanowsky in 27 roles over two decades, per­ son presented the "Marian Anderson In addition to Robert McFerrin and fo rmed in the first concert, as did Posthumous Recognition Resolution" Janice Jackson, who sang at both con­ Dr. Raymond Jackson, the concert pi­ to honor Anderson. certs, Gregory Hopkins sang, "Ah; anist known internationally fo r his an­ mes amis!" from Donizetti's The thology of piano music by Black com­ McFerrin Sings Daughter of the Regiment; Christina posers. The piano accompanist in the Robert McFerrin opened the second D'Amico DeVault sang Rossini's "La second concert was Sylvia Olden Lee, half of the concert with selections from danza"; Marietta Simpson sang the who in 1954 became the first Black Schumann's setting of Heinrich aria "Cruda sorte" from Rossini's L'I­ person to work in a professional capac­ Heine's poem cycle "Dichterliebe," taliana in Algai; and Derrick Law­ ity at the . fo llowed by "Eri tu" from Verdi's Un rence performed "Non piu andrai" The May 29 concert opened with Ballo in Maschera, and five . from Mozart's Ma rriage of Figaro and an invocation by Ebenezer's pastor, Now in his 70's and having recently the "Crucifixion." Dr. Alphonso Harrod, fol lowed by suffered a stroke, McFerrin's perfor­ Marga Dawson-Hallala sang Schu­ singing of the National Anthem, ac­ mance testified to the triumph of the bert's "Ave Maria." Frank Munafo companied by the Reed Elementary human soul. performed "0 sole mio." Tichina School Band. Greetings were read Janice Jackson sang "Re dell'abisso, Vaughan sang Eboli's "0 don fa tale" from noted Black singers Shirley Ver­ affrettati !" from Un Ballo in Maschera, from Verdi's Don Carlo, and Schu­ rett and Mattiwilda Dobbs. the aria which Anderson sang when bert's "Gretchen am Spinnrade." Regi­ The concert began with Schubert's she broke the ban against Black singers nald Pindell performed the "Figaro" "Ave Maria" by Linda Mabbs. Alexan­ at the Met. She also sang "Were You aria from Rossini's Barber of Seville. dra Zalska then sang "0 mio Fer­ There When They Crucified My The concert concluded with De­ nando" from Verdi's La Fa vorita. Lord ?" Vault, Simpson, Hopkins, Pindell, Gordon Hawkins, a fo rmer student Regina McConnell concluded with Lawrence, and John Sigerson of the of George Shirley, sang "Per me gi­ Schubert's "Erlkonig." Schiller Institute singing "Chi me unto" from Verdi's Don Carlo and a The Philadelphia concert opened frena?" the sextet from Donizetti'sLu­ version of "Goin' Home," set to the with an invocation by the Rev. Palmer, cia di Lammermoor. theme from Antonin Dvorak's Sym­ pastor of the Tindley Temple. Greet­ As Lyndon LaRouche commented: phony from the New World. ings were then read from a number of "The image of the Black Classical mu­ George Shirley sang Schubert's prominent singers including Leontyne sician as a collective hero is one of the "An die Musik" and the spiritual "Lit­ Price and William Warfield. great accomplishments of the Wash­ tle Boy, How Old Are You?" arranged The first part of the musical pro­ ington and Philadelphia events. Here by . Shirley and gram consisted of six choruses from are people in the image of God, who Hawkins then sang the duet "Solenne George Frederic Handel's Messiah, demonstrate there is only one human in quest' ora" from Verdi's La Forza performed by the Tabernacle Choir of race, and here are some heroes who del Destino. . Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church, have proven that afresh, if anyone District Councilwoman Hilda Ma- directed by Samuel R. Cosby, Jr. needed to know."

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